Hard-working Rangers are muddy marvellous

Amateur Rugby League:

SADDLEWORTH Rangers coach Keith Brennan was delighted with the defensive application shown by his men as they ground out a priceless 10-4 win away at Stanningley in National Conference League division one.

The two sides cancelled each other out on a muddy field to enter the half-time break at 0-0, but four minutes into the second period Stanningley prop forward Mark Doogan crashed over for an unconverted score.

A further 10 minutes elapsed before the league leaders edged in front with a try from Michael Coates which he also converted.

Coates added two penalty goals to seal the victory.

"We missed a couple of opportunities but overall, our defence was outstanding," said Brennan, whose team are at home to Milford this week before travelling to second-placed Thatto Heath for a crunch game the week after.

"The whole pack did really well, while Shaun Robinson's ball returns were outstanding and put us on the front foot every single time."


WATERHEAD exited the BARLA National Cup at the first-round stage with a 18-12 home loss to Egremont Rangers.

The game at Waterhead Park appeared to be going the way of the home side, who led 12-6 at half-time thanks to tries from Matthew Barran and Ashley Wildman, plus two goals from Sean Garrett.

But Egremont, whose first-half points arrived via a Blake Mahovic try and a John Paul Brocklebank penalty, stepped up a gear in the second half.

And they took the lead through tries from Mahovic and Brocklebank, the latter adding a conversion and penalty.


HIGGINSHAW, whose first-round tie at Liversedge was called off at the weekend, will try to get the fixture played this coming weekend.

Oldham St Anne's were without a first-team game, having been handed a bye to round two.